Evaluation of Intra-Abdominal Hypertension Parameters in Patients with Acute Pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND: Patients with acute pancreatitis develop numerous complications and organ damage due to increased intra-abdominal pressure (IAP). These extrapancreatic complications determine the clinical outcome of the disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 100 patients with acute pancreatitis were included in the prospective cohort study. Observed patients were divided into two groups according to their mean values of IAP (normal IAP values and elevated IAP values), which were compared with examined variables. Patients with intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) were divided into four groups by IAP values, and those groups of patients were also compared with the examined variables. RESULTS: Differences between body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.001), lactates (p = 0.006), and the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score (p = 0.001) were statistically significant within all examined IAH groups. Differences between the mean arterial pressure (MAP) (p = 0.012) and filtration gradient (FG) (p < 0.001) were statistically significant between the first and second IAH groups in relation to the fourth. Differences in diuresis per hour (p = 0.022) showed statistical significance in relation to the first and third groups of IAH patients. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in IAP values lead to changes in basic vital parameters MAP, APP, FG, diuresis per hour, and lactate levels in patients with acute pancreatitis. Early recognition of changes in the SOFA score accompanying an increase in the IAP value is essential.

The Value of Troponin Measurement in Carotid Revascularization: A Scoping Review.

PURPOSE: Patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy (CEA) or carotid artery stenting (CAS) are at substantially increased risk of short-term and long-term cardiac complications. Still, the role of perioperative troponin in predicting cardiac events remains unclear. The objective was to systematically summarize the existing evidence on the topic and provide directions for further research. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Studies that examined perioperative troponin values and its association with myocardial injury, and/or myocardial infarction (MI), and/or major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and postoperative mortality in exclusively CEA/CAS patients, published in English until March 15, 2022, were retrieved through a systematic search of MEDLINE and Web of Science. The study selection process was independently performed by 2 authors, while the third researcher resolved disagreements. RESULTS: Four studies with 885 participants met the inclusion criteria. Age, chronic kidney disease, presentation of carotid disease, type of closure (primary closure/venous patch/Dacron/polytetrafluoroethylene patch), coronary artery disease, chronic heart failure, and the long-term use of calcium channel blockers represent risk factors for troponin elevation, which occurred in 11% to 15.3%. Myocardial infarction and MACE occurred in 23.5% to 40%, that is, 26.5% of patients with troponin elevation, respectively, during the first 30 postoperative days. Elevated postoperative troponin levels were significantly associated with adverse cardiac events during the long-term surveillance period. The rates of cardiac-related and all-cause mortality were higher in patients with postoperative troponin elevation. CONCLUSION: Troponin measurement could be helpful in the prediction of adverse cardiac events. The predictive role of preoperative troponin, the patient population in whom routine troponin sampling should be used, and a comparison of different treatment methods/anesthesia techniques in carotid patients should be further examined. CLINICAL IMPACT: The present scoping review critically appraises the extent and nature of the existing literature data on the predictive value of troponin on the occurrence of cardiac complications in patients undergoing CEA and CAS. In particular, it provides clinicians with essential insights by systematically summarizing the core evidence and identifying knowledge gaps that may direct future research. This, in turn, may significantly alter the current clinical practice and perhaps even reduce the incidence of cardiac complications in patients undergoing CEA/CAS.

Translocator Protein Modulation by 4'-Chlorodiazepam and NO Synthase Inhibition Affect Cardiac Oxidative Stress, Cardiometabolic and Inflammatory Markers in Isoprenaline-Induced Rat Myocardial Infarction.

The possible cardioprotective effects of translocator protein (TSPO) modulation with its ligand 4'-Chlorodiazepam (4'-ClDzp) in isoprenaline (ISO)-induced rat myocardial infarction (MI) were evaluated, alone or in the presence of L-NAME. Wistar albino male rats (b.w. 200-250 g, age 6-8 weeks) were divided into 4 groups (10 per group, total number N = 40), and certain substances were applied: 1. ISO 85 mg/kg b.w. (twice), 2. ISO 85 mg/kg b.w. (twice) + L-NAME 50 mg/kg b.w., 3. ISO 85 mg/kg b.w. (twice) + 4'-ClDzp 0.5 mg/kg b.w., 4. ISO 85 mg/kg b.w. (twice) + 4'-ClDzp 0.5 mg/kg b.w. + L-NAME 50 mg/kg b.w. Blood and cardiac tissue were sampled for myocardial injury and other biochemical markers, cardiac oxidative stress, and for histopathological evaluation. The reduction of serum levels of high-sensitive cardiac troponin T hs cTnT and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), then significantly decreased levels of serum homocysteine Hcy, urea, and creatinine, and decreased levels of myocardial injury enzymes activities superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) as well as lower grades of cardiac ischemic changes were demonstrated in ISO-induced MI treated with 4'-ClDzp. It has been detected that co-treatment with 4'-ClDzp + L-NAME changed the number of registered parameters in comparison to 4'-ClDzp group, indicating that NO (nitric oxide) should be important in the effects of 4'-ClDzp.

Potential drug-drug interactions associated with clinical and laboratory findings at hospital admission.

Background Drug-drug interactions represent one of the causes of adverse therapy outcomes through deteriorated efficacy or safety. However, the true extent of harm related to drug-drug interactions is not well established due to a lack of recognition and understanding. Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the association of potential drug-drug interactions with patients variables recorded at admission. Setting A cross-sectional correlation study was performed on the Cardiology ward of the University Clinical Hospital Center in Belgrade, Serbia. Method Data were retrospectively obtained from medical records and LexiInteract was used as the screening tool for potential drug-drug interactions. Main outcome measure Clinical and laboratory parameters recorded at the patients admission. Results A total of 351 patient records entered the analysis, with the mean age of 70 ± 10 years. The prevalence of potentially relevant drug-drug interactions was 61% (N = 213). After controlling for patient characteristics, nine potential drug-drug interactions were significantly associated with laboratory values outside the range and five potential drug-drug interactions with inadequate clinical parameter values. Potential drug-drug interactions were associated with abnormalities in blood count, metabolic parameters, electrolyte imbalance and renal function parameters. Association with inadequate control of systolic, diastolic blood pressure, as well as heart rhythm was also shown. Conclusion Drug-drug interactions were associated with patients clinical and laboratory findings. Our findings may assist in the identification of patients with increased likelihood of suboptimal therapy outcomes. Generating evidence through post-marketing drug-drug interactions research would lead to improvement in clinical decision-support systems, increased effectiveness and utilization in everyday clinical practice.

Adverse drug reactions caused by drug-drug interactions in cardiovascular disease patients: introduction of a simple prediction tool using electronic screening database items.

Objective: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) drugs have been frequently implicated in adverse drug reaction (ADR)-related hospitalizations. Drug-drug interactions (DDIs) are common preventable cause of ADRs, but the impact of DDIs in the CVD population has not been investigated. Hence, the primary aim of the study was to identify DDIs associated with ADRs in CVD patients at hospital admission. The second aim was to develop a simple tool to identify high-risk patients for DDI-related adverse events. Methods: An observational study was conducted on the Cardiology Ward of University Clinical Hospital Center. Data were obtained from medical charts. A clinical panel identified DDIs implicated in ADRs, using LexiInteract database and Drug Interaction Probability Scale. Statistics were performed using PASW 22 (SPSS Inc.). Results: DDIs contributed to hospital admission with a total prevalence of 9.69%. DDI-related ADRs affected mainly cardiac function (heart rate or rhythm, 41.07%); bleeding and effect on blood pressure were equally distributed (17.86%). Non-cardiovascular ADRs were found in 23.21% of DDIs. After admission, 73% of the identified DDIs led to changes in prescription. Prediction ability of calculated DDI adverse event probability scores was rated as good (AUC = 0.80, p < .001). Conclusions: CVD patients are highly exposed to adverse DDIs; about one in ten patients hospitalized with CVD might have a DDI contributing to the hospitalization. Given the high prevalence of CVD, DDI-related harm might be a significant burden worldwide. Identification of patients with high DDI adverse event risk might ease the recognition of DDI-related harm and improve the use of electronic databases in clinical practice.

Mortality predictors of patients suffering of acute pancreatitis and development of intraabdominal hypertension

Background/aim: Intraabdominal hypertension (IAH) occurs frequently in patients with acute pancreatitis and adds to their morbidity and mortality. The main aim of the study was to identify the determination of the predictive factors connected to IAH that influence the evolution of acute pancreatitis. Materials and methods: The prospective cohort study was conducted on 100 patients who had acute pancreatitis. According to obtained intraabdominal pressure (IAP) values, the patients were divided into two groups: one group (n = 40) with normal IAP values and the other (IAH group, n = 60) with increased IAP values. Deceased patients were specially analyzed within the IAH group in order to determine mortality predictors. Results: Statistical significance of IAP (P = 0.048), lactates (P = 0.048), peak pressure (P = 0.043), abdominal perfusion pressure (P = 0.05), and mean arterial pressure (P = 0.041) was greater for deceased than for surviving patients in the IAH group. High mortality appears for patients younger than 65 years old, with lactate level higher than 3.22 mmol/L and filtration gradient (GF) lower than 67 mmHg. Conclusion: Age, lactates, GF, and APACHE II score are determined as mortality predictors for patients suffering from acute pancreatitis who developed IAH. The mortality rate is higher when the level of GF is decreasing and the level of lactate increasing.

Surgical Treatment of Proximal Segmental Occlusion of the Internal Carotid Artery.

PURPOSE: To present the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of carotid endarterectomy in patients with type II internal carotid artery occlusions, including the long-term outcomes. METHODS: From March 2008 to August 2015, 74 consecutive patients (48 men with a mean age of 65.1 ± 8.06 years) underwent carotid endarterectomy because of internal carotid artery (ICA) segmental occlusions. These were verified with preoperative carotid duplex scans (CDS) and CT angiography (CTA). Also, brain CT scanning was performed in all these patients. The indication for treatment was made jointly by a vascular surgeon, neurologist, and an interventional radiologist in a multidisciplinary team (MDT) context. After successful treatment, all the patients were followed-up at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months, then every 6 months thereafter. RESULTS: The most common symptom at presentation was transient ischaemic attack (TIA) in 49 patients (66.2%), followed by stroke in the past six months in the 17 remaining patients (23%). Revascularisation of the ICA with endarterectomy techniques was performed successfully in all the patients with an average clamp time of 11.9 min. All the procedures were performed under general anaesthesia in combination with a superficial cervical block. The early complication rate was 8.1% and included two cardiac events (2.7%) (one rhythm disorder and one acute coronary syndrome), three TIAs (4.1%), and one intracerebral hemorrhage (1.3%). Only one patient with the intracerebral hemorrhage died 5 days after surgery giving a postoperative mortality of 1.3% for this series. During the follow-up period (mean 50.4 ± 31.3 months), the primary patency rates at 1, 3, 5, and 7 years were 98.4%, 94.9%, 92.9%, and 82.9%, respectively. Likewise, the survival rates were 98.7%, 96.8%, 89%, and 77.6%, respectively. Ultrasound Doppler controls during follow-up detected 8 ICA restenoses; however, only 3 of these patients required further endovascular treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Carotid endarterectomy of internal carotid artery (ICA) segmental occlusion is a safe and effective procedure associated with acceptable risk and good long-term results. Therefore, the current guidelines which do not recommend carotid endarterectomy in this patient group should be reassessed, with the requirement for ongoing large-scale randomized controlled trials to compare CEA with best medical therapy in this patient cohort.

pSTAT3 expression associated with survival and mammographic density of breast cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Constitutive activation of STAT3 have been shown in several tumor types including breast cancer. We investigate STAT3 expresion as possible molecular marker for breast cancer early detection, as well as prognostic factor for determination of tumor agressiveness. METHODS: In this study we measure p(Y705)STAT3 expression in tumor and adjacent tissue of breast cancer patients by Western blot. For relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) we used Log-Rank test. RESULTS: We show that average expression of p (Y705) STAT3 in tumor tissue is higher compared to adjacent tissue. Moreover, we found that patients with HER2 positive receptors had significantly higher pSTAT3 expression compared to HER2 negative patients. We showed that patients with high mammographic density had significantly higher tumor expression of pSTAT3 compared to patients with low mammographic density. Also, we show that pSTAT3 expression correlates with longer RFS in the entire group of patients, as well as in the group of ER positive, in lymph node positive and in older group of breast cancer patients (with age over 50). Furthermore, in the entire group of patients, in ER positive, in lymph node positive and in older group of patient, high expression of pSTAT3 showed a better survival than low expression of pSTAT3. CONCLUSION: Considering that the expression of pSTAT3 is associated with longer RFS and survival, it can be used as prognostic tools for determination of group of breast cancer patients with low-risk.

The prevalence and preventability of potentially relevant drug-drug interactions in patients admitted for cardiovascular diseases: A cross-sectional study.

AIM: The aim was to describe the type and prevalence of potentially relevant drug-drug interactions (pDDIs) in a population of patients admitted for cardiovascular diseases (CVD), and management strategies for reducing the occurrence of pDDIs. METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional study was performed on Cardiology ward of University Clinical Hospital Center in Belgrade, Serbia. A total of 527 patients, with more than one prescription during hospital stay, were enrolled in this study. Data were obtained from medical records. LexiInteract was used as the screening tool. RESULTS: At least one potentially relevant pDDI was identified in 83.9% of patients. Occurrence was significantly more prevalent in patients with higher number of drugs, multimorbidity, longer length of stay, arrhythmia, heart failure, infectious and respiratory disease. About 13% of pDDIs exposures were accompanied with concurrent renal or liver disease, as an additional risk for DDI manifestation. Among CVD, patients with a history of myocardial infarction possessed the highest additional risk. The most common potential clinical outcome was the effect on cardiovascular system 48.5%, renal function and/or potassium 22.3%, bleeding 9.5%, impaired glucose control 6.8% and digoxin toxicity 4.6%. Main management strategies to avoid X or D class included using paracetamol instead of NSAID or alternative NSAID (38%), alternative antibiotic or antifungal (20.4%), H2 receptor antagonist instead of PPI (8.3%), avoiding therapeutic duplication (7.3%), and alternative HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (7%). Heart rate, blood pressure, electrolytes/potassium and blood glucose could have been employed in monitoring for potential consequence of 72.2% C class pDDIs. CONCLUSIONS: Use of drug interaction screening tools can be beneficial risk mitigation strategy for potentially relevant pDDIs in CVD patients. DDI screening software could be linked to the patient's laboratory results or clinical data regarding renal or liver function, as an approach to reinforce DDIs alert quality.

The influence of intraabdominal pressure on the mortality rate of patients with acute pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Intraabdominal hypertension (IAH) is a common clinical finding in patients with acute pancreatitis and is associated with poor prognosis. This study aimed to determine the impact of intraabdominal pressure (IAP) on the mortality rate in patients with acute pancreatitis in an intensive care unit. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 50 patients with acute pancreatitis were included in this prospective cohort study. Based on the obtained values of IAP, the patients were divided into two groups: those with normal IAP (n = 14) and increased IAP (n = 36). Mean values of IAP were compared with examined variables. RESULTS: The mortality rate of the study group was 40%. Comparing the IAP and treatment outcomes, it was proved that there were statistically highly significant differences (P = 0.012). Increasing the value of IAP increased the mortality rate. Deceased patients in the IAH group had greater statistical significance of APACHE II score (P = 0.016), abdominal perfusion pressure (P = 0.048), lactate (P = 0.049), hematocrit (P = 0.039), Ranson's criteria on admission (P = 0.017), Ranson's criteria after 48 h (P = 0.010), Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score (P = 0.014), and body mass index (P = 0.012) compared to the surviving patients. CONCLUSION: IAP has an impact on the increase of mortality rates in patients with acute pancreatitis.

Diagnostic Value of Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 and Tissue Inhibitor of Matrix Metalloproteinase-1 in Sepsis-Associated Acute Kidney Injury.

Sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (SA-AKI) severely impacts morbidity and mortality in surgical patients with sepsis. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) have an important role in pathophysiology of sepsis but they have been unexplored in SA-AKI. We aimed to investigate the role of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in septic surgical patients with SA-AKI and to evaluate them as diagnostic biomarkers of SA-AKI. This prospective observational study compared 53 major abdominal surgery patients with sepsis divided into SA-AKI (n = 37) and non-SA-AKI (n =16) group to 50 controls without sepsis matched by age, gender, comorbidities and type of surgery. Blood and urine samples from septic patients were collected on admission to ICU and 24, 48, 72 and 96 h later and once from the controls. The levels of MMP-9, TIMP-1, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), kidney injury molecule-1, urea and creatinine were measured. MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio and disease severity scores, such as Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA), were calculated. Septic patients with SA-AKI had higher serum TIMP-1 levels and lower serum MMP-9 levels and lower MMP-9/TIMP ratio, compared to septic patients without SA-AKI and controls. The levels of these biomarkers did not change significantly over time. MMP-9, TIMP-1 and MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio correlated with urea, creatinine, NGAL, and SOFA scores. Moreover, using the area under ROC curve, we showed that TIMP-1 and MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio, but not MMP-9, were good diagnostic biomarkers of SA-AKI. We report for the first time the potential diagnostic value of TIMP-1 and MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio in SA-AKI.

HER2-positive breast cancer patients: correlation between mammographic and pathological findings.

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancers represent a highly aggressive breast cancer subtype and are associated with a worse prognosis. This study was designed to investigate the mammography finding of HER2-positive breast cancer and to compare the results with the characteristics of HER2-negative breast cancer patients. From January 2010 to October 2011, mammography findings of 65 patients with pathologically confirmed HER2-positive breast cancers (n = 22) or HER2-negative breast cancers (n = 43) were retrospectively reviewed. The authors also reviewed pathological reports for information on the histological type and differentiation grade. Among the two types of breast cancer patients, estrogen receptor-negative/PR-negative/HER2-positive breast cancer patients most commonly had associated calcifications (18 of 22) on mammography. On mammography, cases with a cluster of calcifications usually were presented as pleomorphic calcifications (12 of 20) and branching calcifications (4 of 20). Patients with HER2-positive breast cancers showed a histological grade II. HER2-positive breast cancer patients usually had ductal invasive carcinoma (17 of 22). Moreover, postmenopausal patients showed a significantly higher frequency of HER2-positive tumours. Our results suggest that the imaging findings might be useful in diagnosing HER2-positive breast cancer patients.

Early left ventricular systolic and diastolic dysfunction in patients with newly diagnosed obstructive sleep apnoea and normal left ventricular ejection fraction.

UNLABELLED: The aim of the study was to evaluate whether obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) contributes directly to left ventricular (LV) diastolic and regional systolic dysfunction in newly diagnosed OSA with normal left ventricle ejection fraction. METHODS: 125 consecutive patients were prospectively enrolled in the study. Control group consisted of 78 asymptomatic age-matched healthy subjects who did not have any cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. All patients had undergone overnight polysomnography and standard transthoracic and tissue Doppler imaging echocardiogram. RESULTS: The E/A ratio and the peak E wave at mitral flow were significantly lower and the peak A wave at mitral flow was significantly higher in OSA patients compared with control subjects. Left ventricle isovolumetric relaxation time (IVRT) and mitral valve flow propagation (MVFP) were significantly longer in OSA patients than in controls. Tissue Doppler derived S' amplitude of lateral part at mitral valve (S'Lm) and E' wave amplitudes both at the lateral (E'Lm) and septal parts of the mitral valve (E'Sm) were significantly lower in OSA patients compared to controls. CONCLUSION: Newly diagnosed OSA patients with normal global LV function have significantly impaired diastolic function and regional longitudinal systolic function. OSA is independently associated with these changes in LV function.

The impact of high-normal blood pressure on left ventricular mechanics: a three-dimensional and speckle tracking echocardiography study.

To assess the presence of subclinical left ventricular myocardial dysfunction in subjects with high-normal blood pressure (BP) and untreated arterial hypertension, using three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography strain analysis. This cross-sectional study included 49 subjects with optimal BP, 50 subjects with high-normal BP, and 50 newly diagnosed untreated hypertensive patients matched by gender and age. All the subjects underwent 24 h blood pressure monitoring and complete two-dimensional and 3D echocardiography examination. The enrolled subjects were grouped according to 24 h systolic BP values, dividing the subjects with optimal BP from those with high-normal BP and the hypertensive patients (cut-off values were 120 and 130 mmHg, respectively). 3D global longitudinal strain was significantly lower in the high-normal BP group and the hypertensive patients, in comparison with the optimal BP group (-20.5 ± 3.3 vs. -18.7 ± 2.8 vs. -17.6 ± 2.7%, p < 0.001). Similar results were obtained for 3D global circumferential strain (-18.6 ± 3 vs. -17.1 ± 2.9 vs. -16 ± 2.5 %, p < 0.001), as well for 3D global radial strain (49.4 ± 9.5 vs. 44.7 ± 8.1 vs. 43.5 ± 7.8%, p = 0.002), and global area strain (-31.2 ± 4.8 vs. -28.7 ± 4.2 vs. -27.1 ± 4.5%, p < 0.001). LV twist was increased in the hypertensive patients in comparison with the high-normal and the optimal BP groups (10.1° ± 2.4° vs. 10.8° ± 2.6° vs. 13.8° ± 3.1°, p < 0.01), whereas untwisting rate significantly and gradually decreased from the optimal BP group, across the high-normal BP group, to the hypertensive patients (-135 ± 35 vs. -118 ± 31 vs. -102 ± 27°/s, p < 0.001). 3D echocardiography revealed that the subjects with high-normal BP suffered subclinical impairment of LV mechanics similar as the hypertensive patients.

Two- and three-dimensional speckle tracking analysis of the relation between myocardial deformation and functional capacity in patients with systemic hypertension.

The purpose of this study was to investigate left ventricular (LV) mechanics in hypertensive patients by 2- and 3-dimensional (3D) speckle tracking imaging, and determine the relation between the LV mechanics and functional capacity in this population. This cross-sectional study included 51 recently diagnosed, untreated, hypertensive patients, 49 treated subjects with well-controlled arterial hypertension, 52 treated participants with uncontrolled hypertension, and 50 controls adjusted by gender and age. All the subjects underwent 24-hour blood pressure monitoring, complete 2-dimensional and 3D examination, and cardiopulmonary exercise testing. 3D global longitudinal, circumferential, radial, and area strains were similar between the control group and well-controlled hypertensive patients but significantly decreased in comparison with patients with untreated or inadequately controlled hypertension. Similar findings were obtained for LV torsion and twist rate, whereas LV untwisting rate significantly deteriorated from the controls, across the well-controlled group, to the patients with untreated or uncontrolled hypertension. Peak oxygen uptake was significantly lower in the patients with untreated and uncontrolled hypertension than in the controls and the well-treated hypertensive patients. Peak oxygen uptake was independently associated with LV untwisting rate (ß = 0.28, p = 0.03), 3D LV ejection fraction (ß = 0.31, p = 0.024), and 3D global longitudinal strain (ß = 0.26, p = 0.037) in the whole hypertensive population in our study. In conclusion, LV mechanics and functional capacity are significantly impaired in the patients with uncontrolled and untreated hypertension in comparison with the controls and the well-controlled hypertensive patients. Functional capacity is independently associated with 3D global longitudinal strain, LV untwisting rate, and 3D LV ejection fraction.

Clinical outcome in patients with hilar malignant strictures type II Bismuth-Corlette treated by minimally invasive unilateral versus bilateral endoscopic biliary drainage.

BACKGROUND: Stenting of malignant hilar strictures remains a standard endoscopic treatment in patients with unresectable tumors. The aim of this two-center prospective study was to compare unilateral versus bilateral drainage in hilar malignant stenosis Bismuth-Corlette type II. METHODS: During a 3-year period, a total of 49 patients with hilar tumors (Bismuth-Corlette type II) were referred for endoscopic treatment, following the criteria of unresectability. Ultrasound, computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) were previously performed in all patients in order to facilitate endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). The stricture was first passed by the hydrophilic guide-wire and then contrast medium was injected. Mechanical bile duct dilation was performed, followed by plastic stent placement only in the liver lobe which was previously opacified. The procedures were performed under conscious sedation. The patients were followed up for the next 12 months with a stent exchange every 3 months. Primary outcome was assessed by patient survival in the first 12 months after the procedure. RESULTS: All 49 patients were treated with ERCP while 39 (79.59%) had successful stent placement. Among these, 32 had hilar cholangiocarcinoma (82%) and 7 (18%) had gallbladder cancer. Two groups of patients had Bismuth II strictures: A, 21 patients (54%) with unilateral contrast injection and drainage, and B, 18 (46%) with bilateral contrast injection and drainage. A total of 57 plastic stents were used (10 Fr, 89%; 11.5 Fr, 11%). Group B showed a lower bilirubin level 7 days after the procedure (P=0.008). Early complications were cholangitis (3 patients, 2 in group A and 1 in group B) and acute pancreatitis (2 patients, 1 each in A and B) with no statistical difference between the groups. Late complications were stent migration (5 patients, 1 in A and 4 in B) and stent clogging (6 patients, 2 in A and 4 in B) showing a significant difference between the groups (P<0.01). The first stent replacement after 3 months was successful in 87% of patients (four died due to disease progression and one due to cardiopulmonary insufficiency) showing no statistical difference between the groups. At 6 months follow-up, 72% patients survived, with no statistical difference between the groups. A final follow-up (12 months) showed the survival rate of 18% (4 patients from group A and 3 from group B) (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A minimally invasive approach, based on the criterion that every bile duct being opacified needs to be drained, is associated with a lower incidence of early complications. Considering that the clinical outcome measured by bilirubin level was lower in patients with bilateral drainage 7 days after the procedure, we assumed that drainage of 50% or more of the liver volume leads to sufficient drainage effectiveness.

Long-term follow-up of endovascular treatment for trans-Atlantic inter-society consensus II type B Iliac lesions in patients aged <50 years.

BACKGROUND: To study the initial and long-term results of endovascular treatment in patients aged <50 years with trans-Atlantic inter-society consensus-II type B unilateral iliac lesions and chronic limb ischemia. METHODS: From January 2000 to February 2010, 60 consecutive endovascular interventions were performed on 23 women and 37 men aged ≤50 years. After successful treatment, all patients were followed up at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after the procedure and every 6 months thereafter. RESULTS: Successful percutaneous revascularization of the iliac artery was achieved in 56 patients (93.3%). The early vascular-related complication rate was 6.7%. The primary patency rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 88%, 59%, and 49%, respectively. Cox univariate analysis revealed that an age range of 45 to 50 years (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.290; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.152-0.553; P = 0.0001), lower preprocedural ankle-brachial index (HR: 2.438; 95% CI: 1.04-5.715; P = 0.047), lesion length >5 cm (HR: 0.838; 95% CI: 0.746-0.943; P = 0.003), and diabetes (HR: 2.005; 95% CI: 1.010-3.980; P = 0.047) had significant influence on decreasing primary patency. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular treatment of TASC-II type B iliac lesions in patients aged <50 years is a safe procedure with low procedural risk. Primary patency rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 88%, 59%, and 49%, respectively.

[Prospects of cardioprotection by volatile anesthetics].

Myocardial ischaemia is followed by some reversibile or ireversibile changes. The aim of cardioplegia is to protect numerous intracellular processes: to spare the intracellular energy stores, to reduce the free oxygen radicals synthesis, to protect the function of the endothelium and myocardial oxygen balance as well as ionic balance. The crystalloid or blood cardioplegia, with anterograde or retrograde infusion, is a basic procedure of the intraoperative cardiac protection. Glucose-insulin-potassium solution was primarily used in a myocardial infarction. After the first promising results, some surgical teams started to use the high glucose-insulin-potassium solution, as a metabolic modulation approach, during a coronary surgery as addition to cardioplegia. During ischaemia, a number of intracellular mechanisms deteriorate with bioenergy misbalance and decrease of cellular functional reserve. In particular, the regulation of contractility in response to loading, alteration in autocrine or paracrine regulation in metabolically stressed hearts and acquired, "learned" tolerance of muscle to deteriorate perfusion (preconditioning) are examples of a variety of the cardiac adaptation. The further improvement in the metabolic modulation during a coronary surgery was made with fluorine ion halogenated volatile aneasthetics used for anaesthesia. The results of some experimental and first clinical studies induced a new approach to the modulation of the intracellular metabolic mechanisms and announced a new concept of anaesthetic preconditioning in coronary surgery. Large, randomized studies are needed to evaluate anaesthetic preconditioning and dependence of its efficiency on type and dose of volatile anaesthetics as well as the role of gene regulation in cardioprotection.